Address
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location Address
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationHIA welcomes steps to unlock Victorian backyards to increase housing supply
HIA welcomes steps to unlock Victorian backyards to increase housing supply
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
HIA welcomes the state government’s announcement it will streamline approvals for second dwellings and backyard subdivisions.
Friday, 12th September 2025
“The planning delays and costs property owners face in wanting to build a second home on their block or subdivide their block and sell off the land can be a major hurdle to getting quality infill development in existing suburban areas.
“By lowering the time and cost involved in this process, this announcement will help fill that void and give young families greater opportunities to secure a new home or townhouse on subdivided blocks,” HIA Deputy Executive Director Victoria, Steven Wojtkiw said today.
“However, the changes won’t provide a guaranteed pathway for more homes to be added to Victoria’s housing stock. Proposals will still need to meet siting, privacy and design standards as well as heritage and environmental overlays.
“It is therefore important that these criteria continue to be reassessed over time to reflect changing community preferences and new building design and construction methods.
“The government’s ambitious target of 800,000 new homes in ten years will require substantial reform to all aspects of housing development, not just planning.
“‘Gentle density’ such as second dwellings and backyard subdivisions, has a key role to play in getting more homes built in the places Victorians want.
“However, HIA’s forecasts indicate there is likely to be a substantial and ongoing shortfall in construction of the number of houses required as Victoria’s population continues to grow.
“While HIA commends the government on this initiative, it also needs to continue efforts to reduce the red tape burden on builders, improve builder confidence, lower property taxes and address workforce skills”, concluded Mr Wojtkiw
“By lowering the time and cost involved in this process, this announcement will help fill that void and give young families greater opportunities to secure a new home or townhouse on subdivided blocks,” HIA Deputy Executive Director Victoria, Steven Wojtkiw said today.
“However, the changes won’t provide a guaranteed pathway for more homes to be added to Victoria’s housing stock. Proposals will still need to meet siting, privacy and design standards as well as heritage and environmental overlays.
“It is therefore important that these criteria continue to be reassessed over time to reflect changing community preferences and new building design and construction methods.
“The government’s ambitious target of 800,000 new homes in ten years will require substantial reform to all aspects of housing development, not just planning.
“‘Gentle density’ such as second dwellings and backyard subdivisions, has a key role to play in getting more homes built in the places Victorians want.
“However, HIA’s forecasts indicate there is likely to be a substantial and ongoing shortfall in construction of the number of houses required as Victoria’s population continues to grow.
“While HIA commends the government on this initiative, it also needs to continue efforts to reduce the red tape burden on builders, improve builder confidence, lower property taxes and address workforce skills”, concluded Mr Wojtkiw
For more information please contact:
Latest articles
01 Oct
Does the LMI policy increase or decrease home prices?
The following is attributable to Tim Reardon, HIA’s Chief Economist
30 Sep
‘Safety: every job, every day’ a priority this National Safe Work Month
October is National Safe Work Month, which is an important time for both employers and workers to focus on, and commit to, promoting safe and healthy workplaces, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Chief Executive – Industry & Policy Simon Croft.
30 Sep
ACT building approvals lift but housing supply remains critically low
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that while new home building approvals in the ACT have lifted slightly in 2025, the pace of growth remains far too slow to meet the territory’s housing needs.
30 Sep
PlanSA announces updates allowing Certificate of Occupancy to be issued
HIA have been lobbying for changes to streamline the process which will allow certifiers to issue Certificates of Occupancy (CoO).